Lace curtain machine



March 23, 1943. .w s, TANDLER EI'AL 2,314,526

' LACE CURTAIN MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 William T I! David .5. fifz l ker ATTORNEY mllidm 5. .Tandlgr March 23, 1943. w. s. TANDLER ETAL 2,314,526

LACE CURTAIN MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet? IIWENTORS:

M'lll'gzmui 7Zzndler "Will in 7%- ler Dav .5. aZKer ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LACE CURTAIN MACHINE William Stephen Tandler and William Teller, New York, and David S. Walker, Bronx, N. Y., assignors to Lefier Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application November 27, 1941, Serial No. 420,700

12 Claims.

scanning mechanism producing electric impulses which are transferred to an electromagnet, controlling in turn the thread operating elements.

Heretofore, the customary way of making patterned fabrics was by means of a jacquard mechanism. There the thread operating elements are moved in accordance with a jacquard card with the intermediary of jacquard hooks and needles against which the jacquard cards are pushed. The jacquard hooks are connected with the thread operating elements by strings which are usually termed harness cords. The harness cords generally have a length exceeding ft. They connect the thread operating elements usually called jacks with the jacquard needles. Due to the excessive length of the harness cords great difiiculties have been experienced. To overcome these diificulties and. many others including those 4 resulting from theuse of jacquard cards many improvements on looms have been proposed.

In a prior type of loom the jacks or pickers are controlled directly by a plurality of electromagnets. Thus, the harness cords are considerably shortened. In this type of machine the jacquard cards are pushed against the jacquard needles whereby electric contacts are actuated energizing a group of electromagnets. The electromagnets in turn control the movements of the jacks or pickers. However, this type of machine has the drawback that ane electromagnet is required for each jack or picker, and since there are often several thousands jacks in each machine, it is obvious that such a loom is very expensive and difficult to keep in Working condition. Besides, it is evident that the great number of electromagnets required for this kind of loom consumes a large amount of electric power. Furthermore, the power demand of the electromagnets is not uniform; it rapidly changes from zero to maximum current.

Each time a fabric of a different width of repeat is to be manufactured in this type of loom, the wiring connections of the electromagnets must be changed. For a different repeat different groups of contacts must be connected with the electromagnets controlling the jacks. Hence, it has been proposed to use an interchangeable box,-

containing the prearranged wiring connections for the electromagnets. By exchanging the box, fabrics of difierent width may be manufactured on the same machine.

In another type of textile machine the jacquard cards and jacquard needles have been replaced by a pattern sheet scanned by a photoelectric cell. The photoelectric cell receives the light of a light source reflected by the pattern sheet. Variations inthe intensity of the reflected light will .produce variations of. the photoelectric current which is-amplified by suitable relays and amplifiers to control the operation of the electromagnets.

The improved control mechanism of the present invention uses only a single scanning means and a single electromagnet for controlling a plurality of thread operating means.

The present invention may be applied with particular advantage to lace curtain machines. The improved control mechanism of the invention is, however, adaptable to many kinds of textile machines where jacks, pickers or similar thread controlling means are employed.

In accordance with the invention the pickers of a lace machine are controlled by a pattern sheet scanned by a photoelectric cell. The electric impulses produced by the photoelectric cell are amplified and fed to a travelling electromagnet that operates the pickers of the machine by means of an improved control mechanism. The pattern sheet which is scanned by the photoelectric cell consists of black and white portions in consecutive rows or lines.

The picker control mechanism of the invention comprises a plurality of control discs that are .rotatably mounted on a shaft. Each of the control discs is connected by a cord with a picker or jack to be controlled. The picker is rocked by its picker cam to what is known in the art as a full lift position, half lift position, right through position etc. In order to arrest the picker in the selected position each control disc can be locked in any of three positions. To lock the control discs in a particular position selector pins are advanced. The selector pins are moved out of their inoperative position by the intermediary of a hammer forming a portion of the armature of a traveling electromagnet. If no selector pin is actuated, the control disc is rocked into an end position.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism for controlling the operating positions of the jacks or pickers in looms and similar textile machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for a lace machine and more particularly for a lace curtain machine where a photoelectric cell scans a pattern sheet and feeds electric impulses to a traveling electromagnet that in turn controls a picker mechan sm.

These and further objects of the invention will become more evident in the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating the application of the invention to a lace curtain machine, certain parts being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a broken away side view of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a particular electric connection of a combination of photoelectric cells and traveling electromagnets, for producing two identical repeats.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a different electric connection of the traveling electroma nets with the photoelectric cells.

Though the invention has been shown in connection with a lace curtain machine it is to be understood that the principles thereof may be applied to any type of loom and different types of textile machines.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine of the invention comprises a pattern sheet secured to cylinder I which is stepwise rotatable in a suitable manner. Pattern sheet ID has rows of spaced black and white portions, the black portions being indicated at l2, l3, l4 and Hi. The black portions |2 to l5 together with the white portions therebetween are a representation of the lace curtain to be made. The black and white portions of pattern sheet ID are scanned by a suitable electrical scanning means I6 and Electrical impulses result that are utilized for th operation of the pickers. The scanning means shown in the drawings includes a photoelectric cell l6.

Light is projected onto pattern sheet II! by light source l1 and reflected onto photoelectric cell l6. Photoelectric cell l6 and i s li ht source i! are secured to carriage l8 sl dably mounted on rails 20, 26. Carriage l8 houses two electromagnets indicated at 2| and 22. Electromagnets 2! and 22 are connected with photoelectric cell !6 by the intermed ary of an amplifier indicated at 23. The electromagnetic scanning mechanism is well known to those skilled in the art and, therefore. it is not described in detail here. Amplifier 23 is operatively connected with a distributor switch indicated at l9. Distributor switch I!) selectively connects amplifier 23 andhence, photoelectric cell IS with one of the electromagnets 2| and 22. Thus, for instance, electromagnet 2| operates when carriage, I8 moves in one direction along pattern sheet l0 and when carriage l8 movesin the opposite direction, distributor switch l9 con- ,nects photoelectric cell l6 and amplifier 23 with an armature provides electromagnet 22 which is now actuated.

Electromagnets 2| and 22 each comprises a hammer 25 and 26, respectively, the hammers forming an integral portion of this armature.

Hammer 25 has its pivot at 2'! as shown in Fig. 1. Hammer 26 has a similar pivot not shown in the drawings. Set screw 28 mounted on carriage I8 bears against the free end of hammer 25 and serves to adjust the stroke of the rocking movement thereof. Hammer 26 is provided with a similar set screw not shown in the drawings. When electromagnets 2| and 22 are energized, hammers 25 and 26 rock in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1.

Selector bed 36 is arranged adjacent carriage l8 and is secured to shafts 3|, 3| and mounted to reciprocat horizontally at right angles with regard to the direction of travel of carriage l8. Selector bed 33 houses two sets of selector pins 33 and 34. Selector pins 33 and 34 are arranged to be hit by hammers 25 and 26, respectively, and thus segregated into operative and inoperative oups, respectively.

Control disc 35 rotatably mounted on shaft 36 has a projecting shoulder 31 on its outer circumference adapted to be engaged by selector pins 33 and 34. Each. control disc 35 further has a section 38 that may be provided with teeth adapted to engage with pinion sector 40 fixed on shaft 4|. The outer circumference of each control disc 35 has furthermore three notches 42, 43 and 44 which are adapted to be engaged by a stop bar 45. Stop bar 45 is integral with sleeve 46 slidable on rod 41. Rod 41 oscillates around shaft 48 and is integral with cam follower arm 56 having a roller 5| on its free end. Spring 52 tends to pull cam follower arm in a clockwise direction. Roller 5| rides over cam 53 on shaft 4|. Lever 54 freely rotatable about shaft 48 has a roller 55 riding over cam 56 secured to shaft 51. Spring 58 urges lever 54 in a counterclockwise direction and thus presses it against the surface of cam 56. Short lever 59 forms part of lever 54 and actuates connecting rod 60 secured to sleeve 46.

Each control disc 35 is connected with a picker 6| by means of a cord 62. Stop 63 limits the rotary movement of control disc 35 in clockwise direction. Picker 6| has its pivot at 64. Picker Si is arranged to be oscillated by picker cam 65 rotated in counterclockwise direction by shaft 66. As will be explained hereinafter, control discs 35 can be locked in any one of three operative positions to stop the free end of picker 6| in what is known in the art as the full-lift position. halflift. position and right-through position with regard to warp threads 61. Picker BI is flexible and elastic as is well known in the art.

A lace curtain machine comprises a great number of pickers 6| and since each picker 6| is controlled by a control disc 35, there are as many control discs as pickers. Furthermore, the number of pinion sectors 46 and their associated .mechanism corresponds to the number of control discs 35. Each control disc 35 is controlled by two selector pins 33 and 34. However, electromagnets 2| and 22 and their hammers 25 and 26 control a plurality of selector pins 33 and 34, respectively. Stop bar 45 preferably extends over a great number of control discs 35 for simultaneously locking them in their selected position. Hence, there is only one cam 53 and one cam 56 necessary for controlling the movement of stop bar 45.

The operation of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is as follows.

In Fig. 2 control disc 35 and picker 6| are in their inoperative position. Now picker cam 65 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow and imparts a corresponding movement to picker 6| moving it towards warp threads 61. Accordingly, cord 62 is pulled to the right of Fig. 2 and thus tends to rotate control disc 35 in a clockwise direction. However, before the rotary motion of control disc 35 has started, carriage l6 carrying photoelectric cell l6 has moved across pattern sheet In to cause electromagnets 2| and 22 to be selectively energized. Hence, electromagnets 2| and 22 selectively impart a rocking movement to hammers 31. -35 has been stopped by selector pin 34, stop bar 25 and 26, respectively. Assuming hammer 26 is rocked in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig.

1 under the influence of a properly amplified impulse, then the tip of hammer 25 hits selector pin 34 and pushes it towards the smooth surface 39 of control disc 35.

Rotation of control disc 35 in the manner explained hereinabove causes shoulder 31 on disc 35 to engage with selector pin 34. This stops further rotary movement of the control disc. Since the movement of picker cam 65 continues picker 6| flexes if card 62 is stopped by control disc 34. When the control disc is thus locked by selector pin 34, cam 53 has traveled until roller on cam follower arm 59 engages with a recessed portion on the cam to bring stop bar 45 in engagement with one of the notches 42, 43 or 44 depending upon whether pin 34 or pin 33 or neither pin is in engagement with shoulder Since the rotary movement of control disc 45 will engage with notch 42. In this manner "control disc 35 is locked against further rotation.

At the same time cam 56 has rotated to a position where it displaces roller 55 of lever 54 J wards the right of Fig. 2. This movement of stop bar 45 has the purpose to rotate control disc 35 a small distance in a counterclockwise direction in order to disengage selector pin 34 from shoulder 31 on control disc 35 and to allow free movement of pin 34.

As soon as stop bar 45 locks control disc 35 and slightly rotates it in counterclockwise direction, selector bed so is moved towards the right of Fig. 2 against the smooth surface 39 of control disc 35. Thus, the previously actuated selector pin 34 is pushed back into its inoperative position. Now, selector bed 39 moves back passing its previous position until the right ends of selector pins 33 and 34 are entirely clear of 1 shoulder 31 of control disc 35 while the left ends I of the selector pins are positioned and ready for further actuation by the two hammers and 28. Stop bar 45 holds discs 35 in their respective position while selector bed is retracted direction. Simultaneously stop bar 45 is rocked' back into its inoperative position by cam 53. In the meantime, shaft 4! bearing pinion sector 40 or similar means has rotated in a clockwise direction and now pinion sector 49 meshes with gear section 38 and rotates control disc back into its inoperative position shown in Fig. 2. During this period a new segregation of selector pins has taken place in the selector mechanism and selector bed 39 returns into the position shown in Fig. 2. Now,- control disc 35 can be again rotated in a clockwise direction under the influence of picker 6|.

Supposing now that instead of selector pin 34 selector pin 33 is pushed to the right by hammer 25. In this case control disc 35 can rotate a further distance until its shoulder 31 engages with selector pin 33. Now, notch 43 on control disc 35 will be engaged by stop bar. 45. When stop bar 45 engages with notch 43 on control disc 35, control disc 35 allows picker 5| to move into a half-lift position 6la under the influence of picker cam 65. Otherwise, the sequence of operation is the same as described above.

It is also possible that neither selector pin 33 nor selector pin 34 is pushed into its engaging position. In that case control disc 35 is free to rotate until stopped by stop 63; Picker 6| now moves to its right-through position.

Each of the control discs 35 can be locked in any one of three control positions as described above, independently of the other control discs. The selection of the operating positions of control discs 35 is controlled by pattern sheet l0 and particularly by the black and white portions thereon.

Normally one photoelectric cell will be employed for controlling a pair ofelectromagnets. As stated hereinabove the photoelectric cell is selectively connected by a distributor switch with one of the two electromagnets. When the carriage bearing the electromagnets moves back and forth first one and then the other electromagnet is actuated. Such an arrangement is shown in the drawings. By utilizing two photoelectric cells both electromagnets can be actuated simultaneously.

Frequently the pattern of the lace curtain is repeated over the Width of the loom and hence, it is advantageous to control two or more pairs of electromagnets by means of one photoelectric cell. Such an arrangement isshown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to Fig. 3 the three photoelectric cells E9, 1| and 12 are each mounted on a carriage 13, F4 and 15, respectively. Photoelectric cells 10, H and 12 are coordinated with light sources 16, TI and 18, respectively. The light from each of the three light sources is reflected by pattern sheet 89 mounted on cylinder 8|. Pattern sheet 89 has three portions A, B and C. Each photoelectric cell 18 to 12 has an amplifier indicated at 82, 83 and 84, respectively.

The three photoelectric cells 10, H and 12 control six groups of pairs of electromagnets B5, 86, 81, 88, 89 and 99. Electromagnets 85 to 99 are suitably mounted to move in unison with photoelectric cells 10 to 12. Each of the electromagnets indicated at 85 to 99 is provided with a hammer, indicated at 9|. It is to be understood that each pair of electromagnets operates two rows of selector pins similar to selector pins 33 and 34 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As shown in Fig. 3 photoelectric cell 19 is con"- nected by way of its amplifier v82 with the two pairs of electromagnets 85 and 88 by cables 92 and 93. Similarly photoelectric cell H is connected with the two pairs ofelectromagnets 86 and 89 by cables 94 and 95. Photoelectric cell 12 controls pairs of'electromagnets 87 and connected thereto by cables flfiand 91. It is evident that with the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 two lace curtains'may be made having a repeat which comprises the pattern sheet portion A, B and C.

When it is desired to manufacture a lace curtain having two portions that are symmetrical with regard to a center line, the pairs of electro- -magnets must be connected in a difierent manner with the photoelectric cells. Photoelectric cell 10 then controls pairs of electromagnets 85 and 90, cell H controls electromagnets 86 and 89 and photoelectric cell 12'the middle electromagnets 81 and 88. J

;In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 the six pairs of electromagnets 85 to 90 are controlled by -two, photoelectric cells H and 12; Photoelectric- 1,-cell H is connected with pairs of electromagnets, 85 '81; and- 89 by means of cables Hill, I!!! and-H12; Photoelectric cell 12 controls the other three pairs ofelectromagnets 86, 88 and 90 bymeans of cables I03, lll4,'and I05. In this mannerthree lace curtains are produced each having a repeat comprising the pattern sheet portions :indicated at D and E. Hence, it is evident that by simply changing the wiring connections of photoelectric cells to 312' etc. and their amplifier systems and the electromagnets it is possible to obtain lace curtains of any desired width.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the carriages 13, M and are shown spaced from electromagnets 85 to 90. However; itis also feasible to mount each pair of electromagnets together with a photoelectric cell-and its light source on the same carriage as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the details of construction of the invention without departing from the broader spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the following claims.

I claim: 9 1. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating members; apparatus :for displacing said thread operating members into a plurality of operative positions including control members operatively connected with said thread operating members, means for synchronously moving said thread operating members, independent means for moving said control members in an opposite direction, means operable during the movement of said control mem bers in one direction for disconnecting them from their moving means, and means for establishing a mutually coercitive relationship between said thread operating members and said control members; groups of selector elements reciprocatively movable for establishing selected control positions of the coordinated control members; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of selector elements for transmitting the elec trical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector elements, means for returning said selector elements into their inoperative position; and a device for temporarily locking said control members in their control positions upon the release thereof from said selector elements.'

2. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating members; apparatus fo displacing said thread operating members into a plurality of operative positions including control members operatively connected with said thread operating members, means for synchronously rotating said thread operating members in one direction, independent means for rotating said control members in an opposite direction, means operable during rotation of said control members in an opposite direction for disconnecting them from their rotating means, and means for simultaneously exerting a pulling actionby said thread operating members upon said control members; displaceable groups of selector elements operable to stop said control members in their selected control positions; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively mov able electromagnet for each group of selector elements for transmitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector elements, means for returning said selector elements into their initial position; and a device for temporarily securing said control members in their control positions upon the release thereof from said selector elements.

3. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating members; apparatus for displacing said thread operating members into a plurality of operative positions including control members each having a stop engaging face, said control members being operatively connected with said thread operating members and synchronously movable therewith for controlling the displacement of said thread operating members into their operative positions; groups of movable selector elements engageable with said control members to lock them in selected positions; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including apattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of selector elements for trans mitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector elements, means for returning said selecto elements into their inoperative position; and a device for loosening the frictional engagement between said selector elements and the stop engaging faces on said control members including means for temporarily locking and thereafter disengaging said control members in their selected control positions upon.

stricted section, means for establishing a mutually coercitive relationship between said pickers and said control discs during the movement of the pickers into their operative positions, pinion sectors for engaging said gear teeth and for moving said control discs synchronously with said pickers into their inoperative position; groups of reciprocatively movable selector pins for engaging said projections on said control discs and for retaining them in selected positions; mechanism fo selectively displacing said selector pins including a, pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of said selector pins for transmitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector pins; and a device for temporarily locking said control discs in their selected positions upon the release thereof from said selector pins.

5. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating pickers; a cam operable to keep said pickers in their inoperative position clear of the threads and to advance said pickers into a plurality of operative positions towards the threads, control discs rotatable in two directions and provided each on its circumference with a single projection, with a group of spaced notches and with a plurality of gear lector pins arranged to engage said projections on said control discs and for locking them in selected control positions; mechanism for selectively advancing said selector pins towards said control discs including a pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of said selector pins for'transmitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector pins, means forreturning said selector pins into their inoperative positions; and adevice for engaging said notches and for locking said control discs in their control positions upon release thereof from said selector pins.

6. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating pickers; cams operableto keep said pickers in their inoperative position clear of the threads and to advance them into a plurality of operative positions towards the threads, control discs movable in two directions an provided each on its circumference with a single projection, with a group of spaced notches and with a plurality of gear teeth extending over a restricted section; a flexible member between each of said pickers and one of said control discs for exerting a pulling action through said pickers upon said control discs during their movement into selected control positions, pinion sectors arranged to engage said gear teeth and for moving said control discs synchronously with said pickers into their inoperative positions; groups of reciprocatively movable selector pins for engaging said projections on said control discs and for locking them in the selected control positions; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector pins towards said control discs including a pattern, at

7 least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one

reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of said selector pins for transmitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector pins, means for returning said selector pins into their inoperative position; and a device for loosening the frictional engagement between said selector pins and said projections on said control discs and for engaging one of said notches on said control discs including a stop bar having an inclined notch engaging face, and means for moving said stop bar into and out of engagement with said notches.

7. In a loom a plurality of thread operating members; apparatus for displacing said thread operating members into a plurality of operative positions including control members each having a stop engaging face, said control members being operatively connected with said thread operating members and synchronously movable therewith for controlling the displacement of said thread operating members into their operative positions; groups of selector elements movable into engagement with the stop engaging faces of said, 'con- 7 trol members to arrest them in selected control positions; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, pattern scanning means for providing power impulses in dependence upon said pattern, a single im- ,pulse transmitting mechanism for each group of "selector elements, and means for returning said selector elements into their inoperative position.

8. ma lace machine a plurality of thread operating members; apparatus for displacing said thread operating members into a plurality of operative positions including control members each having a stop engaging face, said control members bein operatively connected with said thread operating members and synchronously movable therewithior controlling the displacement of said thread operating members into their operative positions; groups of selector elements each being movable into engagement with the stop engaging face of a coordinated control memher to arrest it in a selected control position; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at least one photoelectric cell for scanning said pattern, one reciprocatively movable electi'omagnet i'or each group plurality 0i operative positions including control .members each hav ng a stop engaging lace, said control members be ng operatively connected with said thread operating members and synchronously movable therewith Ior controlling the dlspiacementof said thread operating members into their operative positions; groups of selector elements reciprocatively movable into engagement with the stop engaging face of coordinated control members ior loclring them in selected control positions; mechanism Ior selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet I'or eacn group 01' selector elements for transmitting the electrical impulses or said photoelectric cell to said selector elements, means for returning said selector elements into their inoperative position; and a device ior temporarily locking said control members in their selected control positions upon the release tnereoi irom said selector elements.

10. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of thread operating members; apparatus for displacing said thread operating members into a plurality oioperative positions including control members each having a stop engaging I'ace, said control members being operatively connected with said thread operating members Ior controlling the displacement thereoi into their operative positions, and two independent means lor synchronously and successively moving said thread operating members and said control members in opposite directional groups oi selector elements movable into engagement with the stop engaging i'ace of coordinated control members to arrest each control member in a selected contro position; mechanism Ior selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of selectorelements for transmitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectrical cell to said selector elements, means for returning said selector elements into their inoperative position; and device for temporarily locking said control members in their control positions upon the release thereof from said selector elements.

11. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating members; apparatus for displacing said thread operating members successively in 'opposite directions into the inoperative and into a plurality of operative positions including rotatable control members each having a stop engaging face, said control members being operatively connected with said thread operating members and synchronously movable therewith for controlling the displacement of said thread operating members into their operative positions; groups of selector elements reciprocatively movable into engagement with the stop engaging face of coordinated control members to arrest them in their selected control positions; mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one reciprocatively movable electromagnet for each group of selector elements for transmitting the electrical impulses produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector elements, means for returning said selector elements int-o'their'inoperative positions; and means for synchronizing 'the two-directional movements of said thread operating members and the rotation of said control members with the reciprocative movements of said groups of selector elements and of said electromagnets.

12. In a lace curtain machine a plurality of resilient thread operating members: apparatus for displacing said thread operating members into a plurality of operative positions including control members operatively connected with said thread operating members, means for synchronously rotating said thread operating members in one direction, independent means for rotating said control members in an opposite direction, means operable during rotation of said control members in an opposite direction for disconnecting them from their rotating means, and means for simultaneously exerting a pulling action by said thread operating members upon said control members; displace'able groups of selector element's operable to stopsaid control members in their selected control position; "mechanism for selectively displacing said selector elements including a pattern, at "least one pattern scanning photoelectric cell, one 'reciproc'atively movable electromagnet fore'a'ch group of selector elements for transmitting the electrical impulsesv produced by said photoelectric cell to said selector elements, and means for returning said selector elements 'into their initial position.

'W'ELIAM STEPHEN TANDLER. WILLIAM TELLER. DAVID S. WALKER. 

